In Football, there are groundbreaking players, but massive competition and challenges await them each year. Ex-Man United Star Paul Pogba received a 4-year ban from football because of testing positive for testosterone.
Players and sportsmen generally take supplements to stimulate their hormones and strength. FIFA’s Anti-Doping Unit performs various tests, such as the doping tests, to keep the players’ supplementation in check. Paul is a renowned French mid-fielder and the winner of the FIFA World Cup 2018. His footballing skills and an eye for the ground have made him one of the star players of the industry.
However, the Anti-Doping Tribunal of Italy has recently banned him from playing for 4 years due to testing positive for testosterone. But, his claims are the opposite of the doping test results.
In this blog post, we will see the truth behind the controversies and statements made by Paul.
Who is Paul Pogba?
Paul Pogba is a 30-year-old French footballer who formerly played for Manchester United. He started his career from here when he joined the club in 2009 and left in 2012 after not signing a single contract.
The star player was born on March 15, 1993, in Lagny-sur-Marne, France. He gained expertise in central midfielding while also playing as a left winger, attacking midfielder, defensive midfielder, and deep-lying playmaker.
Recently, a professional footballer played for Juventus and the French national team before being banned from the ground.
What Happened to Paul Pogba?
Paul Pogba fans are concerned about his career being over. Despite his regular appeal, the judgment for his 4-year ban from football is stagnant. After failing a doping test, The Anti-Doping Tribunal of Italy imposed a ban on Pogba, restricting him from playing football in the upcoming years.
The French midfielder was also provisionally suspended in September when his test reports came positive for elevated levels of testosterone. This suggested the player was doing an unlawful doping of drugs.
In August 2023, an incident highlighted his condition after a match at Juventus. However, he was on the bend during the time. He was suspected of taking unlawful supplementation of undesirable drugs.
Pogma has revealed deep dismay at his situation and remarked, “Unintentional Taking of Drugs.” The star midfielder was taking the heights of his career with more than 178 appearances in matches at Juventus between 2012 and 2016.
The recent victory of the World Cup victory in 2018 soared his football career until he faced various setbacks. Whether it is destiny or vacuity, he has got subsequent temporary bans from playing football. The recent ban due to doping has little to no likelihood of a successful outcome despite his regular appeal.
What Massimiliano Allegri Said?
Massimiliano Allegri is an Italian professional football manager. He is also known as Max Allegri. Currently, he is in charge of Serie A club Juventus.
Upon the positive doping reports of Pogba, he expressed his concerns and regards while speaking to reports before Sunday’s match against Napoli.
Given that, this is what he said:-
“I wrote him a message two days ago. On a human level, I’m very sorry, but also from a footballing point of view. This sport is losing an extraordinary and difficult-to-find player who I had the pleasure of coaching. On top of that, Paul is also a very good person.”
Pogba’s statement regarding the doping ban
The doping ban has certainly affected Pogba in multiple ways. The Anti-Doping Tribunal of Italy banned him from playing football for 4 years.
This means that the player will not return to the grounds until the age of 34. In September 2023, the player was tested positive for DHEA. It is a compound that produces certain hormones in the body, including testosterone.
In response to the ban, Pogba showed his dismay, saying that he was “sad, shocked, and heartbroken.” He further said that upon the elevation of the legal restrictions, the complete narrative will come to light.
Moreover, he claimed that he never knowingly or intentionally took any supplements in violation of anti-doping regulations.
Given that, this is what he has said:-
“I am sad, shocked and heartbroken that everything I have built in my professional playing career has been taken away from me.”
“As a professional athlete, I would never do anything to enhance my performance by using banned substances and have never disrespected or cheated fellow athletes and supporters of any of the teams I have played for, or against.”
The Timeline Of Pogba’s Doping Offence
Here is the timeline of Pogba’s doping offense:-
August 20, 2023
The trial of Pogba’s doping accusation started on August 20, 2023, when he was sitting on a bench as an unused substitute in Juventus’ match with Udinese. He had to undergo a standard doping test after the game and tested positive for Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
September 2023
Juventus suspended Pogba as a precaution despite the announcement of a failed test. As a response, Pogba asks for a counter-analysis of the original test.
October 2023
The counter-analysis test results come back positive. Sky Sports News suggested that Pogba has claimed a denial of the results and wishes to clear his name. His agent, Rafaela Pimenta, pressed, “Paul never wanted to break the rules.”
December 2023
Anti-doping prosecutors in Italy announced a four-year ban on the player. This is the typical ordeal for any anti-doping breach under the WADA code.
February 2024
Italy’s National Anti-Doping Tribunal (TNA) received the request to hand out the four-year ban. Pogba wishes to plead against this with CAS (Certificate of Advanced Studies). If he successfully proves his appeal, the World Anti-Doping Agency has the right to appeal against the allegations.
Then, the Swiss federal courts will hear the base.
What options does Pogba have now?
Pogba has already appealed for a Certificate of Advanced Studies to plead against his four-year ban.
Currently, Juventus are currently disbursing a minimum wage of 2,000 euros ($2,169.80) per month to Pogba.
Juve will terminate his contract if CAS supports the ban. Furthermore, he will not be able to return to the grounds until September 2027–when he will be 34.
At last
French midfielder–Paul Pogba is going through an unusual phase of life where his career is at sake. The player’s report came out positive for DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone). It is a kind of hormone that your body naturally produces in the adrenal gland.
Taking this supplement enhances the testosterone levels in the body, which results in increased endurance in the players. Currently, Italy’s anti-doping tribunal has banned the 30-year-old player from playing football. However, he has regularly appealed to plead with CAS (Certificate of Advanced Studies) for “unintentional drugs.”
Juve will terminate his contract if CAS supports the ban.
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